The bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, specifically section 43528, to update regulations regarding bear hunting licenses in Michigan. It stipulates that individuals must possess a bear hunting license to hunt bears, although those accompanying a licensed hunter without a firearm, bow, or crossbow, and who do not own dogs for bear tracking, are exempt from this requirement. The bill also clarifies that only individuals holding a valid base license are eligible to purchase a bear hunting license, and it modifies the fee structure for bear hunting licenses, increasing the resident license fee to $25.00 and the nonresident fee to $150.00.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new bear backup hunting license, available to individuals with a valid base license, allowing them to assist licensed bear hunters by shooting a bear that has already been wounded. The fees for this backup license are set at $50.00 for residents and $250.00 for nonresidents. The backup license is valid for the entire bear season, can be used an unlimited number of times, and is applicable in all bear management units across the state. The bill also updates the nonrefundable application fee for bear hunting licenses to a maximum of $5.00.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 324.43528